In leadership, there is no progress without trust. This has always been the case. However, the question of "Trust leads, but what leadership leads to trust?" is becoming increasingly important today. In times of digital transformation, agile project work, and dissolved hierarchies, trust plays a crucial role in quickly creating clarity and reducing complexity. A fundamentally interesting insight into trust research is provided by the seminar paper "Trust. Approaches and Models of Trust Research". For example, it is pointed out how difficult it is to define the term uniformly. Responsible for this are, among other things, the different trust relationships: including behavior-oriented approaches, behavior-intention-oriented considerations, and attitude-oriented approaches. However, one thing the research agrees on is: "(...) the economic crisis starting in 2008 has clearly shown that trust is necessary for a functioning economic and financial system (...)." What applies to the economy also applies within a company and is even more important in the relationship between individuals. Therefore, the important question arises for me: What qualities make a good - in other words, trustworthy - leader?
Relationship as a Basis
The answers to this question are diverse. Over time, some qualities have crystallized: accepting challenges and dealing with changes confidently. Making decisions in a timely manner and solving problems. And the willingness to continue learning for all this. Both on the leader's side and on the employee's side, it requires the assurance that the foundation of mutual trust is so deep and solid that uncertainties and confusions cannot destroy it.
Life is Mutual Influence
Leadership is more successful with trust. However, mutual trust is not always easy to achieve and even harder to maintain permanently. Because trust primarily requires one thing: Time. Then, from the delicate seedling of trust, a strong tree grows, a relationship that makes it easier and better to lead other people. But one does not always have this time. When a new employee starts, a leader cannot wait for mutual trust to finally be established. The employee must be led from the first minute, and the leader must lead from the first minute. Fortunately, in this case, there is often spontaneous trust. However, the so-called trust advance also includes expectations, such as the presence of necessary competence and integrity being maintained.
Trust is Work
Trust must be nurtured and maintained. Leaders also need to take action repeatedly, take risks, delegate, step out of their comfort zone, and face difficult situations. Another important aspect is therefore to be sensitive to moments of trust in life. Important questions for this: On what occasions could I trust? When was my trust (not) disappointed? Who in my life served as a role model in terms of trust? But also, fundamentally: What do I understand by trust? What expectations do I have for a trusting relationship? Reflecting on oneself repeatedly is important as a leader - beyond the topic of trust.
3 Tips to Build and Foster Trust:
1. Lead by Example, Be a Role Model Leaders hold a certain position of power. Therefore, the first step in building a trusting relationship should also come from them. By taking the lead, they are also setting an example. 2. Spontaneous and Informal Communication Open communication is not always possible in companies. Therefore, leaders should take opportunities to spontaneously interact with employees. It is easier to communicate in the kitchen, in the hallway, on a trip to a customer, or on the way to lunch - from person to person. 3. Admit Mistakes, Behave Fairly Leaders make mistakes, after all, they are only human. In such cases, it is crucial to admit them. Keeping one's promises and fair judgments of others are perceived as fair by employees and ensure that one's trustworthiness is not questioned.
Courage to Engage
The core of every success is trust. Whether we trust ourselves, the company, the product, a brand, or other people - all relationships are based on trust. Without trust, there are no customers who buy. Without trust, there are no flowing information. Without trust, there is no collaboration. Without trust, there is no leadership - at least not good leadership. Trust helps us meet as humans despite digital transformation. Let us simplify our complicated, ever faster spinning world to the essentials: people and trust in our species.
"He who does not trust enough, will not find trust"
If we manage to truly listen to each other again, show genuine interest in others, and thus allow emotional closeness with appreciation, we create an important basis for mutual trust. It is important - even though role models are helpful - to find one's own path and follow it! As Laozi summarized beautifully: "He who does not trust enough, will not find trust." © Your Antje Heimsoeth
